Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-01-08
Mrs Maria |. Ely.
"Too soon she died, for Jealous heaven
Recalled the Treasure It had given"


Recalled the Treasure II had given"
Such was the thought that occurred to
us, when on Christmas morning, we
learned that in her peaceful, happy
home Mt mdnight's quiet hour, Mrs.
Maria L. Ely had been suddenly called
home.
Iii is difficult task to write of one so
perfect in every relation of life, for to
those who did not know her well, the
words which seem but faint praise to
those who loved her, must appear al
most fulsome.
Maria Council came to GAINESVILLE a
bright, joyous school girl 10 attend the
old Academy, and left school while very
young to be united in marriage, August
2lst, 1867 to Mr.. E. B. Ely. In less than
two months afterwards, she united with
the Baptist church, and was baptised
the same day in the river. From that
hour her life was consecrated to God.
How well she fulfilled her VOWS, let
the grief and sympathy of the immense
crowd from every grade of society who
attended her funeral on Sunday after
noon testify.
Beautiful in person, with a rarely
gentle, loving nature, she went amid
the poor, the sick, and the afflicted car
rying consolation and giving help
wherever most needed.
Her pastor bears testimony to the
fact, that he never called on her for
any service however unpleasant that she
did not respond In the various ladies
societies of her church, she was always
at her post refusing no work required
of her.
She possessed the rare gift and tact
OF being able to work in any position,
and with any person without ever by
word or act wounding the feelings OF
another.
Her last loving care and thought was
:or the happiness of others. Amidst
the abundance that surrounded her.
She did not forget those less favored,
but sent basket to an aged invalid in
the country, with loving words of
christian greeting. Her hands had ar
ranged each gift for her dear ones,
little dreaming that when tiny hands
should unfold their christmas treasures,
the heart and brain that had planned
for their happiness, would be cold and
still, and for the first time insensible to
their call.
AS we stood by the coffin OF "This
idol of happy once home" we thought
her best eulogy was the fearful whis-
pered words that fell upon our ears.
II never heard her say an unkind
word of another" said one, she" twas the
best woman / ever lived with, she never
got angry" said servant. The mem
bers OF the church she loved so we'll,
seem each to haye suffered personal
loss, and will long remember the christ.
mas OF 1886 as season p gloom and
sorrow.
There are many lessons to be
learned from life so beautiful and un
selfish as this. Death came suddenly
there was no time for parting word tc
her loved ones, no expression OF faith Oh
trust in God, and yet no one doubt,
that she is in Heaven. Why is this
Her example and beautiful christian
life is the answer. We ask why one
still SO young, for she was only thirt,
six years OF age, so useful to society, t.
her family, to her church, should b,
taken-God knows best, and while tn,
cup is very bitter we must bow to hi
will.
Blessed are the dead who die in tn,
: Lord from henceforth; Yea saith tn,
! spirit that they may rent from thei
labors; and their works do follow them
A.